A definition, “Social isolation is a state of complete or near-complete lack of contact between an individual and society. It differs from loneliness, which reflects temporary and involuntary lack of contact with other humans in the world.”

In layman’s terms what does this mean? Why does it happen?

We live in a world which seems to struggle to adapt or welcome things or people they know nothing about.

There are a large number of people that , through no choice of their own, seem to have been forgotten about. The saying ignorance is bliss comes to mind.

It doesn’t matter if you are young or old , if you have worked all your life and paid taxes into the system or been on benefits ,you get treated no differently.

The only variables would be dependent on how much money the local authority have got and pot luck !!

You see when you get sick there’s no one there to support you. It’s a big minefield of trying to survive. No sign posts to point you in the way of financial or practical help.

The worst most horrendous thing is the support (or lack of ) with mobility aids and home adaptations to support independent living.

I’ve had people contact me upset because their relatives who are being discharged from hospital but can’t even get upstairs or outside. Being told that a commode and a sink to wash in is adequate.

People want to go out and be more active but they aren’t provided with proper wheelchair assessments or equipment.

Roads and Kerbs are horrendous for wheelchairs . What are councils thinking putting cobbled pavements down? Certainly not someone who will be in agony with every bump they go over.

Bus drivers who dont want to get out of their seat to put the ramp down so you can get off the bus. That also set off before you have parked up properly.

Pubs and shops that are old and do have steps but provide no ramp or haven’t adapted their premises so people can get in ,despite this being made law.

You can be a prisoner in your own home not able to leave because of the steps and no money to adapt it.

Lifts that they turn off at train stations at 6pm despite trains still stopping there ,leaving that station in accessible.

If people have young children they are often isolated too as a consequence.

So not only are people striving to overcome the physical challenges of what illness /disabilities they are going through, how it affects your confidence because you have to learn to be a completely different person, almost reinvent yourself. They have to deal with the minefield and rejection from society.

We are in 2019 people!!!

Attitudes need to change.

It’s not right that some individuals can’t go far because they need a toilet with a hoist to change their child who is now a stocky teenager. It’s not like it’s a new issue…..

How would you all feel if it was you ? What the answer is I’ve no idea but it’s clear that something has to change.

Joanne Quinnell

Ps I’m lucky after 8years of having to use a camping toilet in my hallway and not being able to get out of my front or back safely, I’ve just had some adaptations and it’s amazing how nice it feels to get on my chair , open and drive out of my frontdoor , everyone should have that .